Clarence Carl Gaudian

     Clarence Carl Gaudian, the son of Carl and Olga (Tesch) was born December 28, 1926 at home in Paullina, IA. He was Baptized and Confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. His childhood years were spent in the Paullina area, where he attended school and graduated from Paullina High School in 1945. While in school he participated in all sports. He worked at Livingston’s Grocery, shined shoes at Archie Dance’s barber shop, delivered newspapers, and worked for Francis Cowan at the furniture store and funeral services. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in North Africa and Italy until his Honorable Discharge in 1947. Clarence then attended the University of St. Louis Mortuary Science, where he graduated in 1948.

     Clarence married Joann Deyloff on September 11, 1949 in Aurelia, IA. He worked for John Cowan in the furniture store and funeral business. In 1954 he built the funeral home and bought half interest in that. He also worked as the ambulance service in Paullina for many years. They purchased a farm east of Paullina where he enjoyed working outdoors.

     Clarence enjoyed hunting, bowling, golfing, and baseball. He obtained his pilots license and helped to start the airport in Paullina. He had a passion for cars and antique cars. He loved playing cards. He was a member of Kiwanis Golden K, American Legion in Paullina, Iowa Funeral Directors Association for over 50 years, and a member of First English Lutheran Church in Spencer.

     Clarence passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Montecito Post-Acute Care in Mesa, AZ at the age of 96. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Howard and Florence Deyloff, one sister, Violet and her husband Duane Reimers, one brother-in-law, Ivan Thompson, one son-in-law, Robert Cliff.

     Left to cherish his memory are his wife Joann of 73 years of Spencer, IA; 3 daughters, Madelyn (Michael) Erickson of Crosslake, MN, Nancy Cliff of Lake City, MN, and Luanne (Kelly) Nieuwenhuis of Primghar, IA; 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; one brother, Duane (Esther) Gaudian of Lake Park, IA; one sister Carol Thompson of Hospers, IA; other relatives; and many friends.